Life-relevant Bible-based teachings from Rev. Paul Miller, Pastor of Bushkill Community Church and St. John’s E.C. Church.
Episodes
Monday Jul 23, 2018
Monday Jul 23, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – July 22, 2018
Series Title: What in Your World is God Doing?
Today’s Title: Can You Accept that We’re All Accepted?
Today’s Text: Ephesians 2
ACCEPT THAT…..
YOU HAVE AN INCURABLE SIN CONDITION (v1-3)
- we were by nature deserving of wrath. (v3)
YOU CANNOT EARN LOVE, MERCY, OR GRACE (v4-10)
- it is by grace you have been saved (v5 & v8)
WE ALL BEGAN AS OUTSIDERS (v11-13)
- you who once were far away have been brought near (v13)
THERE IS NO LONGER ANY BASIS FOR HOSTILITY (v14-18)
- the dividing wall of hostility (v14)
YOU BELONG, AS DO ALL WHO COME TO CHRIST
- you are no longer foreigners and strangers (v19)
The Prodigal Son Parable (Luke 15)
The rebellious son had trouble accepting being accepted by his father
The obedient son had trouble accepting that father accepted his brother
The father accepted them both, from beginning to end
Monday Jul 16, 2018
Monday Jul 16, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – July 15, 2018
Series Title: “What in Your World is Going On?”
Today’s Title: “Do you understand What You Are a Part of?”
Today’s Text: Ephesians 1:1-23
What has God given us in Christ? (v3-14)
- Destiny (v3-6)
- Predestination? Think Big Picture
- Predestination? “we”, not “me”
- Lavish Grace (7-10)
- a Plan & a Purpose (11-12)
- Choice (13-14)
- “you also were included”
- “when you heard”
- “when you believed”
How should we pray for others? (v15-19a)
- With Thankfulness (15-16)
- For Wisdom & Revelation (17)
- To see with the Lens of Love (18-19a)
- Hope
- Inheritance
- Power
What power do we have access to? (v19b-23)
- Strength to Rise up like Christ (19b-20)
- Ultimate Authority in Christ (20-21)
- Fullness in Christ’s body, the Church (22-23)
Monday Jun 25, 2018
Monday Jun 25, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – June 24, 2018
Series Title: “What do we deserve from God?”
Today’s Title: “Look Who’s at the Party – Celebrating Inclusion”
Today’s Text: Luke 15:1-10
JESUS CELEBRATED LIFE, LOVE, FAITHFULNESS, FORGIVENESS, & RESTORED RELATIONSHIP
JESUS ATE WITH THE PEOPLE OTHERS AVOIDED (the younger son)
- Luke 5:27-31 – Levi’s house (Matthew)
- Luke 7:31-35 – criticized for it
- Luke 15:1-2 – criticized for it
- Luke 19:5-6 – Zacchaeus’ house
JESUS ATE WITH THOSE WHO WERE MOST CRITICAL OF HIM (the older son)
- Luke 7:36
- Luke 11:37-38
- Luke 14:1
JESUS BALANCED BOTH WORLDS IN LUKE 14
- Eating at a home of a “prominent” Pharisee (v1)
- Large crowds of every day people (v25)
- The parable of “The Great Banquet” (v15-24)
- directed at the Pharisees
- The cost of being a disciple (v25-34)
- directed at the “crowd”
JESUS SPOKE TO BOTH WORLD’S IN THE PARABLES OF LK. 15
THESE 3 PARABLES OF LOSTNESS ARE AN INVITATION
- TO THE “LOST SINNERS”
AND
- A CHALLENGE TO THE “FAITHFUL”
JESUS WELCOMES & INCLUDES BOTH IN THE CELEBRATION
Tuesday Jun 19, 2018
Tuesday Jun 19, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – June 17, 2018
Series Title: “What do we deserve from God?”
Today’s Title: “Forever Your Father – Come Home”
Today’s Text: Luke 15:20-24 & 31-32
“There was a man who had two sons…”
Two Sons among the Patriarchs:
- Adam had Cain & Abel (and others later)
- Abraham had Ishmael & Isaac
- Isaac had Jacob & Esau
- Joseph had Manasseh & Ephraim
Our Father in Heaven
- Does not override our will
- Let’s us take our own path at His expense
- Waits for us to come home
- Unconditionally welcomes our return
- Celebrates our relationship
- Acknowledges and blesses His faithful children
- Desires unity among His children
2 Sons: Their Contrasts and Ours
Younger Son Older Son
Defined by failure Defined by effort
Had a hard time accepting Tried to earn what he
that he was accepted. already possessed.
Guilt & Shame Pride & Position
Two Brothers, One Love
Ephesians 2:1-7 – unworthy
Ephesians 2:8-10 – unearned
Tuesday Jun 12, 2018
Tuesday Jun 12, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – June 10, 2018
Series Title: What do we deserve from God? – The Prodigal Son
Today’s Title: Earned Arrogance – The “Good” Son
Today’s Text: Luke 15: 25-32
7 Character Traits of The Older Son
Unearned Privilege
Good Work Ethic
Obedient
Loyal
Angry
Resentful
Unforgiving
10 Contrasts Between the 2 Sons
The Younger Son The Older Son
Disrespectful Respectful
Left Home Stayed Home
Partied Hard Worked Hard
Disobeyed Obeyed
Willing to be a slave Felt like a slave
Unworthy Entitled
Repented Resented
Forgiven Condemning
Danced Sulked
Came Home Stayed Outside
The younger son felt unworthy of love because of shame.
The older son refused to love because of pride.
Matthew 6:14-15
Tuesday Jun 05, 2018
Tuesday Jun 05, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – June 3, 2018
Series Title: “What do we deserve from God?” – The Prodigal Son
Today’s Title: This Man Really Stinks - The “Bad” Son
Today’s Text: Luke 15:11-20
The Worst Son Ever?
- Socially -“give me my share of the estate”
- Morally -“squandered his wealth in wild living.” (Deuteronomy 21:18-21)
- Religiously – “to feed pigs” (Leviticus 11:7-8)
What kind of child of God are you?
- Have you ever claimed God’s provisions for yourself?
- Has God ever been “dead” to you?
- Have you used God’s provision selfishly, immorally?
- Have you willingly submitted yourself to things that dishonor God your Father ?
Have you come to your senses?
Do you know that you are not worthy to be His child?
Do you believe that He still loves you? (Romans 3:21-24)
Tuesday May 29, 2018
Tuesday May 29, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 27, 2018
Series Title: “What if No One Would Help You But Your Enemy?”
Today’s Title: “Rescued by the ‘Other’; Learning Love from the Outsider”
Today’s Text: Luke 10:25-37
The Good Samaritan parable is about many things, but it is primarily about the responsibility of all people to show mercy to those in need.
Jesus was frequently given self-based questions by people looking for loop holes, short cuts, traps, or self-advancement.
“Who is my Neighbor?” (Luke 10:29) was one such question.
WHAT WAS GOOD ABOUT THE GOOD SAMARITAN?
- He saw a person needing help, not an enemy to be avoided
- He “took pity on him”
- He provided first aid at the scene
- He took him to a place of safety and healing
- He stayed with him, setting aside his own agenda
- He paid for the care given to the victim
- He promised to return
Even the “enemy”, even the “other”, even one of “those people”, even the outsider, even those we despise, are capable of showing mercy.
EVERYONE IS CAPABLE OF MERCY – “Go and do likewise.”
The Good Samaritan parable is about many things, but it is primarily about the responsibility of all people to show mercy to those in need.
Thursday May 17, 2018
Thursday May 17, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 13, 2018
Series Title: “What if no one would help you but your enemy?”
Today’s Title: “Avoided & Ignored – When Religion gets in the Way of God’s Work”
Today’s Text: Luke 10:25-37
OBSTACLES TO LOVE
- Religious Obstacles – Matthew 9:9-13
- “principles”
- Moral codes
- a strict priority structure
- Social & Political Obstacles – Romans 12:9-21
- I don’t want to help “them”
- “they” deserve this, had this coming
- “they” don’t deserve my help
- What will my friends think if I help “them”?
- Is there prejudice in me?
- Obstacles Based on Fear – 1 John 4:16b-21
- Fear of becoming a victim
- Fear of inadequacy
- Fear of being “taken”
- Selfishness – Job 6:14, Proverbs 3:27, Deuteronomy 27:19
- My time
- My money
- My attention
- My convenience
REMOVING OUR OBSTACLES TO LOVE - 1 CORINTIANS 13:4-7
- To the NEIGHBOR
- To the STRANGER
- To the ENEMY
Tuesday May 08, 2018
Tuesday May 08, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 6, 2018
Series Title: What if no one would help you but your enemy? - The Good Samaritan
Today’s Title: The Samaritans: Why the Jews Hated them & How Jesus Dealt with it
Today’s Text: Luke 10:25-37
Animosity toward Samaritans in the Gospels:
- “Samaritan” was an insult – John 8:48
- The disciples shared in the hatred – Luke 9:51-56
Where did this animosity come from?
- 931 BC - Israel is divided into 2 kingdoms (1 Kings 12:21-24)
- 900 BC - A city named Samaria is built (1 Kings 16:24)
- Samaria becomes the capital of Israel (1 Kings 16:29)
- 870 BC – False gods worshipped in Samaria (1 Kings 16:31-33)
- Israel never had a godly king and never turned from idols
- 723 BC - Israel is attacked by Assyria, ending the northern kingdom (2 Kings 17:24-41)
- 586 BC - The Babylonian captivity of Judah (2 Kings 25)
- 516 BC - Jews return to Jerusalem to start the city and its wall. Samaritans oppose this rebuilding. (Ezra 4:6-16 & Neh. 4:1-3)
- 330 BC (?) – Under Alexander the Great a temple is built at Mt. Gerizim thought to be a holy place the place (Deuteronomy 27:12)
- 127 BC - A Jewish priest leads the destruction of the Gerizim temple
- All along, the Samaritans thought of themselves as Jews
The Samaritan Woman at the Well – John 4
- Jesus breaks numerous social norms
- The big issue between their peoples (John 4:19-20)
- Jesus doesn’t take sides, no “us vs. them” (John 4:21-22)
- Jesus is inclusive and equalizing (John 4:23-24)
The Thankful Samaritan Leper – Luke 17:11-19
The church goes to Samaria (Acts 1:8, 8:4-25, 9:31 & 15:3)
Where is your Samaria? Who are your Samaritans? (be honest with yourself about this)
If you substitute one of “those” people into this parable in place of the Samaritan, how does that change the story for you?
Tuesday May 01, 2018
Tuesday May 01, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 29, 2018
Series Title: “What are the Roots of Our Troubles? – The Parable of the Sower”
Today’s Title: “Noble & Good Heart: The Seeds that will Grow”
Today’s Texts: Matthew 13:23, Mark 4:20, Luke 8:15
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. – James 1:19-20
THE SEED IS THE WORD
- “logos”
- Jesus both speaks and lives the Word
THE SOIL IS THE HEART
- Hard Path = Hard Heart
- Rocky Ground = Shallow Faith
- Thorns = Anxiety
THE GOOD SOIL IS A GOOD AND HONEST HEART
- hears the word
- understand the word
- accept the word
- retains the word
- perseveres until harvest
THE HARVEST: THE SAME WORD AS FRUIT
- Galatians 5:22-23
- How the Word multiplies
- Deuteronomy 30:11-20
“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” – James 1:21